ARTICLES ABOUT PANTHER VALLEY DIVISION BY DATE - PAGE 4

A close vote is predicted today when members of the United Mine Workers of America in District 25 vote on a new tentative contract negotiated in Washington, D.C. UMW members in the district will be voting on a four-year contract that retains a seven-hour day, but provides for lower wage increases than offered in a contract that was rejected Sept. 8 on a 519-373 vote. The new proposal also eliminates a requirement that a pit man, the third man employed on heavier shovels, would be required to be trained as a light welder.

Anthracite miners yesterday rejected a three-year contract proposal from the Anthracite Coal Operators on a 519-373 vote. Michael Semko of Coaldale, a member of the union's International Executive Board and acting president of United Mine Workers District 25, said the proposal was worked out between the coal operators and the union Thursday in Washington, D.C. The terms of the proposal were explained by Joseph Jurczak, a special assistant to...

Members of three striking United Mine Workers locals of the Panther Valley Division of Bethlehem Mines yesterday rejected a tentative contract by an "overwhelming" 80 percent vote. The vote totaled 58 in favor of accepting the proposal and 238 against. A breakdown of the voting showed Local 4004, made up of strip mine employees, voted 43 yes, and 177 no; Local 1571, colliery workers, 12 yes and 54 no, and Local 1536, electrical workers, three yes, seven no. Randall I. Bensinger of Lewistown Valley, Local 1571 president, said, "The men turned it down overwhelmingly.

Members of three locals of United Mine Workers of America will vote tomorrow on a tentative agreement reached with the Panther Valley Division of Bethlehem Mines at negotiations in Washington, D.C. The strike in the anthracite mines enters its 43rd day today. The tentative agreement was explained yesterday to members of the three locals by Joseph Jurczak, special assistant to UMW President Richard Trumka, at a mass meeting in the auditorium of the Tamaqua Area Junior High School.

The first negotiating session was held yesterday between anthracite coal operators and the United Mine Workers of America. The negotiations lasted 2 1/2 hours with time out for a 1 1/2 -hour caucus by the union's negotiating team. No comments were available from either side on the caucus discussions or the talks. Both sides met in the Jefferson Room of Genetti's Best Western Motel, Hazleton, in the session that was the first since the selective strike began July 15. The UMW has struck Blaschak Coal Co., Saint Nicholas, Mahanoy City; Reading Anthracite Co., Pottsville, and the Panther Valley Division of Bethlehem Mines, Tamaqua, while allowing other operators to continue working.

No meetings have been scheduled between the disputing Anthracite Mine Operators and United Mine Workers of America as the selective strike against three coal operators moves into its fifth day today. The union struck Reading Anthracite Co., Pottsville; St. Nicholas-based Blaschak Brothers, and the Panther Valley Division of Bethlehem Mines after a 45-day contract extension ran out at 7:01 a.m. Monday. The contract expired June 2. The Panther Valley Division of Bethlehem Mines was conducting contract negotiations apart from the coal operators since the company feels its operations are different from the other coal producers.

A strike was averted in the anthracite coal fields with the announcement yesterday of a 45-day extension in negotiations. The announcement was made by representatives of the United Mine Workers of America and negotiating teams representing six members of the Anthracite Operators Association and Panther Valley Division of Bethlehem Mines, which is negotiating separately. The current contract was scheduled to expire at 7 a.m. today. The extension will expire at 7:01 a.m. July 15. The association includes Reading Anthracite, Pottsville, and Jeddo- Highland, Beltrami Enterprises and Racho and Blaschak, all Hazleton area producers, which employ more than 1,100 in strip mining operations.

Michael Soley, 67, of 603 E. Union St., Tamaqua, died Saturday in his home. He was the husband of Agnes (Hager) Soley. He was a conveyor operator for the Panther Valley division of the Bethlehem Mines, Tamaqua, for 43 years, retiring in 1983. Born in Tamaqua, he was a son of the late Andrew and Anna (Federko) Soley. He was a member of St. Jerome Catholic Church. Soley was a committeeman for the United Mine Workers of America, Local 1574, Tamaqua. Surviving with his widow are two daughters, Joanne, wife of Anthony Perilli of Tamaqua, and Donna, at home; a son, Michael J. of Tamaqua, and six grandchildren.

Florie Colangecco, 70, of 331 W. White St., Summit Hill, was dead on arrival Monday at Coaldale Hospital after being stricken at home. He was the husband of Jennie (Pincella) Colangecco. He was employed by the Panther Valley division of Bethlehem Mines before retiring. Born in Lansford, he was a son of the late Anthony and Theresa (Martello) Colangecco. He was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Summit Hill, and served on the parish's St. Vincent de Paul Society. Surviving with his widow are two sons, Anthony of Lansford and Eugene of Perkasie; a brother John of Summit Hill; three sisters, Julia, wife of Albert Talanca of NewtonFalls, Ohio, Joanne Mancinelli of Warren, Ohio, and Josephine in Italy, and a granddaughter.

The Bethlehem Steel Corp. announced yesterday a layoff at the Panther Valley Division of Bethlehem Mines will idle about 280 hourly employees for two weeks. A company spokesman said a decline in demand for anthracite coal is blamed for the shutdown. All production operations will be shut down, but it was noted that an adequate inventory of clean anthracite is available at the mines to allow coal shipments to continue during the layoff. The layoff will begin Monday and last through Sept.